Married At First Sight UK matchmaker Paul Brunson is pursuing a new type of match after becoming the co-owner of a fifth-tier football club.
Paul is well known for sitting alongside Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas on the couch during the reality series’ weekly commitment ceremonies.
He says he’s a “recent but devout fan” of Sutton United FC and decided to invest in the south London club after attending his first match earlier this year.
The National League club was relegated at the end of last season and is due to face Tamworth on Saturday.
Earlier this year, Paul appeared on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch and after the hosts heard he didn’t have a football club to support, Sutton United was picked out of a hat for him.
Paul says he had a “life-changing moment” when he then attended a club match, saying he “instantly fell in love with the game and the sense of community it fosters”.
“I found myself celebrating goals with a man from a different age, nationality, and background,” he says.
“This experience ignited my passion for football, and I knew I had found a new family.”
Relationships expert Paul was born in the US but now lives in London.
As well as MAFS, he’s also a host on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating and appears on ITV daytime show Lorraine as a relationships coach.
Announcing his new venture, Paul says he’s “committed to furthering diversity and inclusivity within football”.
“These clubs are the centrepiece of a community,” he says, “but most of the people I speak to in London have not gone to a local match.
“In particular, people of colour told me they were fearful and they feared for what would happen in the crowd.”
He says he’s dedicated to “ensuring that more people can experience the joy of football”.
Part of his plans for the club involves inviting front line workers like police officers and NHS staff to home games to build a greater sense of community.
“I’m not your typical football club owner,” Paul says.
“But that being said, I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this team.”
Paul joins three other co-owners of the club – none of which have an overall majority.
BBC Newsbeat has contacted Sutton United FC for comment.
